What is the Compulsory ELSA Test?

Introduction

ELSA is the universityÃ­s English Language Skills Assessment, which tests English proficiency levels over 7 band scores. The skills currently being tested are Listening, Reading and Writing. The ELSA test is an Online test and all new students will find the test labelled as "Reading Paper", "Listening Paper" and "Writing Paper" on this MOODLE pages. Each paper has time limit of one hour each and you are required to do all three papers.

The university recognises that those scoring band scores 6 and above demonstrate skill levels that would allow them to proceed with their second year degree courses. Those who manage a band score of 5 and less in any of the skills tested may need further assistance in English Language Skills. These students will automatically be enrolled in the EL001 course on MOODLE in the specific skills that they need assistance in. The students enrolled in EL001 are expected to work on their specific skill areas online and achieve an 80% success rate in the exercises to proceed on with their studies. This should ideally be completed during their first year of studies at USP.

New students enrolled in 100 Level courses are encouraged to complete the ELSA test as soon as they can upon enrollment. The ELSA test has to be attempted before they complete year 1 of your studies as they may not be permitted to enroll for their year 2 courses unless they have fulfilled the requirements of ELSA and the English Language support exercises (EL001).

There is a DEMO version of the test provided which allows the students to practice. After completing the Demo papers you can and attempt the actual test. There are 3 sections in the ELSA paper; Listening, Reading & Writing. The test must be attempted in that order and in ONE sitting. The student candidate will be expected to Listen to instructions as they attempt the Listening section. Headphones are strongly recommended. In the Reading section, they will be expected to read passages and answer the related questions that follow. The test concludes with the Writing section where they will be expected to select a topic from given topics and write an Essay on 250 words.

Skills:

Listening:

You will listen to two different texts and be asked to complete TWO tasks for each.

Answer all questions in the spaces provided.

All instructions will be provided on the audio recording that you will hear.

The passages will be read out twice.

The audio recording will last for approximately 45 minutes.

You cannot move onto the next test unless you complete the Listening test first.

Reading:

This test contains two texts. You will be expected to attempt BOTH.

All questions are to be answered in the spaces provided on the online test.

All instructions will be provided once you attempt the test.

There are three tasks to complete for each text. Complete all tasks.

Writing:

This test contains three essay questions.

The candidate is required to choose ONE and write an Essay on the topic.

There is space provided to write a draft also.

The final copy will be marked only.

Important Note for new Bachelor Degree Students

New students enrolled in 100 Level courses are encouraged to complete the ELSA test as soon as they can upon enrolment. The ELSA test has to be attempted before they complete year 1 of your studies as they may not be permitted to enrol for their year 2 courses unless they have fulfilled the requirements of ELSA and the English Language support exercises (EL001). The test will be available to all students from Monday, 5 February, 2018.

It is recommended that you attempt this test by the second week of your lectures in the first Semester so that you have ample time to complete the associated exercises if you need to.

There is a DEMO version of the test provided which allows the students to practice.

The Test is available online and is accessible from anywhere as long as candidates have decent connectivity. They should take the test as soon as possible so they can get their results back early. If they already have access to Student Online Services, they can check their ELSA results there about two weeks after they sat the test.

Results are reported on a seven-band scale, and an overall total of 6 or 7 allows them to continue immediately with their studies at USP.

A band score of 5 or lower will require them to undertake additional English Language support only in the skill area where their band score was lower than 5. These support exercises will also be provided online.